The Trinity community, always encouraging open discussions about diversity, invited three speakers to explore the topics of perception, reality, and reconciliation during the fall semester’s Diversity Lecture Series.

The smell of homemade Asian cuisine filled Tibstra Hall on Wednesday, November 20, at the Taste of Asia event hosted by the Asian American Alliance (AAA) and Hall Council. AAA relied on students from international backgrounds to help bring authentic dishes to the multicultural celebration.

The final lecture in November was presented by Dr. Terry Lindsay, associate professor and dean of diversity and intercultural programs at North Park University. Lindsay’s address, “Demographic Trends: Implication for Christian Higher Education,” focused on how Christian institutions need to be aware of and respond to swiftly changing demographics.

Sharing various graphs and statistics, Lindsay covered several topics, including immigration trends, gaps in education, high school drop-out rates, college readiness of underrepresented students, and serving the needs of diverse students.

The Diversity Lecture Series is sponsored by the Office of Ethnic Diversity and Multicultural Programs.

In her October 28 Diversity Lecture Series address, guest speaker Dr. Rebecca Hernandez of Goshen College said that in order for colleges to truly become more diverse, they need to push beyond hospitality and the “host-guest” relationship with students and embrace a new metaphor, that of an intercultural “world house.”

Hernandez, the associate dean for intercultural development and educational partnerships at Goshen, emphasized the diversity of God’s family and the “many rooms” that exist in the Father’s house.

She said that if colleges invite diversity but students don’t accept the invitation then institutional change needs to happen. Such changes may include tying a vision of diversity to the college’s mission, focusing on hiring, and recognizing the critical roles of leaders who can serve as change agents, although encouraging diversity is the ongoing work of the entire community.

The next lecture

The final lecture this year will be held on Monday, November 18, at 10 a.m. in the Grand Lobby. The College will welcome Dr. Terry Lindsay as he speaks about Diversity on Campus.

The Diversity Lecture Series is open to the public and sponsored by Trinity’s Office of Ethnic Diversity and Multicultural Programs.

Reverend Brenda Girton-Mitchell, J.D., director of the Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships at the U.S. Department of Education, discussed the importance of service, at her WorldView presentation on October 21.

Girton-Mitchell provides leadership to help meet the goal of engaging community-based organizations, both faith-based and secular in building a culture of high expectations and support for education. She also works as part of the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships to implement its mission in cooperation with the Centers for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships at 12 other federal agencies.

Trinity’s participation in the President’s Interfaith and Community Service Campus Challenge is part of that collaborative initiative. For more than two years, Trinity students and students from local Muslim faith communities have worked side by side on improvements to the Cal Sag Trail.

“In the act of working together, you build relationships you may never have built because you find a common denominator,” said Girton-Mitchell.

She explained that in the first two years of the challenge, campuses reported that over 100,000 students and 250,000 staff, faculty, and community members participated in interfaith service initiatives. The work of Trinity students was part of the more than 152 million hours reported.

“Trinity is like a tree trunk,” said Girton-Mitchell, “and others are like branches helping to serve the community.”

Trinity Christian College hosted representatives from the University of Mkar in Nigeria on Tuesday, June 25, with a goal to establish a partnership with the university as an international sister-school.

One of the benefits of small liberal arts colleges like Trinity is the ability to cultivate and nurture relationships with local schools and churches as well as those across the globe.

This past week, the College welcomed six Korean pastors for a special weekend of lectures, presentations, and fellowship. The pastors completed academic work in a one-credit course developed by Trinity theology professors on the Book of Philippians.

Dr. Yudha Thianto, professor of theology, said the opportunity was a valuable experience for him as well as for the pastors. “This experience will translate into classroom discussion and enhance my teaching of the cross-cultural missions course.”

Serving as interpreter was Dr. Sinai Chung, adjunct professor and admissions representative for Korea, whose efforts raise awareness of Trinity among students in Korea and encourage international partnerships.

The visit was an initiative of President Steve Timmermans, Ph.D., who has worked to form partnerships with churches and Colleges in South Korea and encourage cross-cultural learning and service opportunities closer to home.

“It was a great pleasure meeting these pastors,” said Timmermans. “I trust their week of learning at Trinity will further each of their own preaching ministries and that they see Trinity as their partner in ministry.”

The official start to the weekend began at the home of Ginny Carpenter, dean of student engagement and international services, where the pastors enjoyed dinner and the fellowship of several Trinity administrators and professors.

They ended their time with a trip to Chicago for dinner and an evening of music with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Trinity’s Asian-American Alliance (AAA) hosts events that celebrate diversity at Trinity and raise awareness of injustice across the globe. AAA recently hosted its first event of the semester, which focused on immigration policy and the need for “relational justice.”

Guest speaker Sarah Quezada, who works at Mission Year, a Christian urban ministry program based in Atlanta, Georgia, described how relational justice encourages people to create relationships with the groups they are trying to help. By doing so, volunteers better understand the needs of the group they are helping.

AAA President Nicole Ferreria ’13 of Orland Park, Illinois, said, “I’m grateful for Mrs. Quezada’s willingness to also share her personal story,” said Ferreria. “I hope that our upcoming events continue to encourage Trinity in its efforts to celebrate diversity and become aware of social justice issues.”

The AAA has planned several upcoming events including the annual Celebration of Asia, on Wednesday, April 3. Guests are welcome to enjoy an evening of food, music, and cultural traditions.